Teachers in Pajaro Valley Unified School District are protesting proposed policy changes they say could suppress classroom discussions on controversial topics by requiring prior approval from administrators.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
PVUSD’s ‘controversial issues’ policy isn’t about neutrality – it’s about silence, fear and control
Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s proposed “controversial issues” policy pretends to protect balance, but instead threatens to silence teachers and sanitize truth, writes the Pajaro Valley Teachers Federation. By demanding teacher neutrality and forcing teachers to ask permission before they can discuss tough topics, the district is engaged in censorship, they write. California law already guards against bias, and they believe the proposed policy changes are overreach. They demand the district’s board of trustees reject them in a vote set for Wednesday.
Posted inEducation
Watsonville activist says school district ‘blocking’ him from speaking to students about pesticide harms
Activist Omar Dieguez told Lookout that Pajaro Valley Unified School District is not allowing him to present to students about the harms of pesticides during his monthlong hunger strike.
Posted inEducation
Aptos High aims to reopen Friday after experiencing prolonged power outages
Aptos High School canceled class Thursday as crews work to restore power to the campus after a prolonged outage that began on Saturday. A district spokesperson told Lookout that the school is aiming to reopen on Friday.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
PVUSD needs to do more to support Aptos High students
Ian Hsu, a 2025 graduate of Aptos High School, says Pajaro Valley Unified School District must do more to invest in the high school and rebuild a culture of confidence, opportunity and support. Budget cuts, he writes, have slashed key programs and worsened morale.
Posted inEducation
Without power at school, some Aptos High students leave class early
A prolonged power outage at Aptos High School disrupted classes and led many students to leave early Monday. PG&E confirmed that the school was receiving power and said the issues stemmed from the school’s internal equipment.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified School District hires new chief business officer after tense exchange over contract
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board hired a new chief business officer Wednesday night, but the moment was briefly overshadowed by a tense exchange between Superintendent Heather Contreras and Trustee Joy Flynn over contract language regarding health benefits.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified faces financial future with vote on new business chief, look at unspent arts funding and budget update
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board will vote Wednesday on a new chief business officer as it faces continued fiscal challenges. Trustees will also hear a report showing improvements in student attendance, suspensions and graduation rates across the district.
Posted inEducation
Pajaro Valley Unified School District board to explore lowering voting age for board elections to age 16
Three Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustees have formed a committee to explore lowering the voting age to 16 for school board elections, aiming to give students more say in decisions that directly affect them.
Posted inEducation
Seeking adventure, new Aptos High principal trades Alaska’s dark winters for California sun
After about five decades in Alaska, educator Lisa Lansdale has relocated to California to become the new principal of Aptos High School. As she steps into a leadership role at a school still recovering from recent turmoil, Lansdale aims to foster safety and joy.